I live in Juneau and you know what? I LOVE 'EM ALL!! As long as you are on a balcony you can't go wrong.
I am partial to Princess because of a fabulous upgrade they gave us once.
We like Celebrity just as much, and have also had good success on the Carnival Spirit that comes up here. I don't know their itinerary for next year, but the nice thing is that Spirit has been coming here on Saturday when there is usually just one other ship in town. The other days of the week there are four or five or six ships and it gets pretty crowded downtown.
Also, do you plan a round trip from Seattle or Vancouver? Or is it a one- way to/from Seward/Whittier? That will also make a difference in which ports and sightseeing days you have as well. The round trip from Seattle or Vancouver is cheaper because you won't need to fly to Anchorage, but the down side is then you would miss the College Fjord Glaciers. They are spectacular! I think Princess has some nice itineraries, and I have never been on Holland, but they have been in Alaska the longest and they do treat their customers well (I am told).
I tell my friends, when they ask, to come in May when the prices are lower and the scenery is out of this world. The days are getting longer and the weather has just as good of a chance of being sunny and warm as if you came in July/August when the prices are the highest. Don't forget the balcony!

I live in Juneau and you know what? I LOVE 'EM ALL!! As long as you are on a balcony you can't go wrong.
I am partial to Princess because of a fabulous upgrade they gave us once.
We like Celebrity just as much, and have also had good success on the Carnival Spirit that comes up here. I don't know their itinerary for next year, but the nice thing is that Spirit has been coming here on Saturday when there is usually just one other ship in town. The other days of the week there are four or five or six ships and it gets pretty crowded downtown.
Also, do you plan a round trip from Seattle or Vancouver? Or is it a one- way to/from Seward/Whittier? That will also make a difference in which ports and sightseeing days you have as well. The round trip from Seattle or Vancouver is cheaper because you won't need to fly to Anchorage, but the down side is then you would miss the College Fjord Glaciers. They are spectacular! I think Princess has some nice itineraries, and I have never been on Holland, but they have been in Alaska the longest and they do treat their customers well (I am told).
I tell my friends, when they ask, to come in May when the prices are lower and the scenery is out of this world. The days are getting longer and the weather has just as good of a chance of being sunny and warm as if you came in July/August when the prices are the highest. Don't forget the balcony!

I am dreaming of an Alaskan Cruise/Land Tour and have been doing some research. I had narrowed it down to Princess or Holland America, but I am really leaning towards Princess mostly because they show you their lodges where you would be staying. Nobody else seems to want to tell you where you will stay during your land portion. Anyway I am glad to hear that you recommend May because that is when I wanted to go, but was afraid it would be to early in the season to be warm enough to enjoy the sights.